NAIROBI’S ENERGY-FOOD NEXUSVERTICAL FARM SYSTEMS FOR NAIROBIANS OF ALL INCOME LEVELS

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Winner Clean Energy Challenge

Track: Creative Professional

About NAIROBI’S ENERGY-FOOD NEXUS

Ukulima Tech seeks to facilitate the production of healthy and nutritious food for urban residents. Transforming backyards, verandahs and balconies through energy and space efficient farming methods. The system entails the collection of organic waste which is composted to form a nutrient rich-growing medium to be used for planting. The systems are easy to use for individuals with little to no farming experience.

What’s your story?

‘Elizabeth Achieng’ is the co-founder of Ukulima Tech and a graduate in Development Studies. She is a social entrepreneur passionate about promoting food security and sustainability. She is also an astute researcher in food security issues. She developed her agribusiness company with an interest to transform Nairobi’s food system by reducing the energy of food transportation from distant production sites to the cities.’

“To address these challenges, vertical farming could reduce food shortages in urban areas as an alternative food producer and to address the food security gaps in urban areas while saving energy.”

How did your project come about?

‘The food crisis within cities like Nairobi show that a large section of its population is suffering from food shortages as a result of unaffordable prices, over-reliance on rural food imports and diminishing arable land. Food deficits in the city therefore create a precarious society manifested in crimes, malnutrition, diseases and deaths. To address these challenges, vertical farming could reduce food shortages in urban areas as an alternative food producer and to address the food security gaps in urban areas while saving energy.’

Team of Nairobi’s Energy Food Nexus

What was your reaction to finding out your project had been selected?

‘I was extremely excited to be selected among more than 400 projects world wide. I have since gained confidence in my business supported by the recognition.’

In your opinion, why is creativity important in climate action and the transition to clean energy?

‘Creativity is important because it creates opportunity to undertake most radical transformation in climate action which in turn sets the pace towards achieving clean energy.’

Where do you see your project one year from now?

‘I hope to acquire a workshop with additional modern tools necessary to facilitate mass fabrication of the vertical gardens. Next to that I also seek to engage more in marketing strategies to develop a strong identity of the systems/product and a strong brand that will appeal to a broader market.’